The Economy Markets

Google unveils Gemini 3.5 Flash model with dramatically lower token costs AI market strained by soaring token-processing expenses, weighing on providers and customers alike “Price now matters more than performance” — Google seen gaining momentum in market-share race as public-sector adoption broadens

China and Japan unload massive volumes of U.S.

FIFA to Deploy Broad Range of AI-Based Systems at the World Cup in Partnership With Lenovo AI Use in Sports Continues to Expand From Tactical Planning to Training and Recruitment Stadium Operations Also Moving Toward Automation as Fan Experiences Become Faster and More Seamless

Surging oil prices and yields amplify pressure on U.S.

Kioxia valuation surges on soaring NAND prices Competition intensifies to tap U.S.

Disputes between Trump and Carney spill into military-security sphere Western allies accelerate push for strategic defense autonomy Capability gaps with the United States leave alternative security architecture facing steep hurdles

Surging cloud demand drives sharp escalation in infrastructure investment burdens Blackstone to inject $5 billion and secure majority ownership stake Alphabet’s growing dependence on external capital underscores limits of internal funding capacity

Strengthened Korea-Japan energy security coordination amid the prolonged Iran war Push to counter China through expanded joint procurement and stockpiling systems across Southeast Asia Korean and Japanese petrochemical sectors entering recovery phase as China’s low-cost supply chain weakens

Uber expands Delivery Hero stake from 7% to 19.5% Uber reinforces strategy after setbacks in Korea and Southeast Asia Global race for dominance in AI- and robotics-driven delivery intensifies Photo=Uber Eats

Trump delays anti-Iran military operation following mediation by Gulf states Military tensions persist as divisions over nuclear program remain unresolved “Priority for now is economic and security stability” as ceasefire talks shift in emphasis

Middle East conflict fuels inflation fears, driving prolonged rally in U.S.

NextEra Energy seeks to acquire Dominion Energy in $67 billion deal Soaring AI-driven electricity demand sends data-center-region power prices skyrocketing Utilities and power companies ramp up capital expenditure, with industry-wide M&A activity expected to accelerate

AI Glasses Poised to Succeed Smartphones as the Next-Generation Device AI Delivers Instant Information Through Eyewear Alone, Unlocking Vast Use Cases From Meta to Samsung, Competition Intensifies Over AI Agent Wearable Dominance The race to

Expansion Plan for Three Additional U.S.

China’s economy flashes warning signs again as retail sales growth hits lowest level in 3 years and 4 months Property recovery remains distant, raising pressure for additional policy support amid deteriorating conditions Effectiveness of stimulus measures questioned as debt-dependent growth model shows mounting strain

Currency risk can turn liquidity into panic Credit Suisse exposed that weakness Swiss TBTF reform shifts the burden back to banks Global foreign exchange reached

Dollar stablecoins now dominate digital money China’s retreat shows control has beaten openness The real task is to make dollar stablecoins safer While roughly 99% of the stablecoin market cap today is USD pegge

Taiwan fears the US may hesitate in a crisis That doubt could weaken deterrence before war begins Clearer allied planning is needed to prevent China from misreading silence More than twenty-three million people

Nvidia’s LPDDR consumption by 2027 projected to surpass combined smartphone demand from Apple and Samsung AI server market pivots toward LPDDR amid mounting power constraints, fueling expectations for continued commodity DRAM price increases China accelerates LPDDR5 and LPDDR5X development, though yield instability and limited experience remain major obstacles

“Time is of the essence,” Trump says as Washington escalates pressure on Tehran while demanding rapid negotiations Conciliatory proposals emerge on key issues including Iran’s nuclear program and oil exports China and Russia expected to coordinate joint Middle East response ahead of bilateral summit